Scleromyxedema: Successful Treatment with Thalidomide in Two Patients

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Abstract
Background: Scleromyxedema is an unusual skin disease characterized by mucinous infiltration of the skin. There is no satisfactory treatment for this disorder. Case Report: We report 2 cases of scleromyxedema, both associated with an IgG-λ paraprotein. Treatment with thalidomide was started and great improvement of the lesion was noted as shown by a quality of life questionnaire similar to those used in rheumatoid arthritis. TNF-α value was elevated in both cases during this treatment. Discussion: We hypothesize that the efficiency of thalidomide could be mediated by its costimulatory effect on T cytotoxic lymphocytes.